Independence MO vs Livonia MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Livonia
8.2%
Livonia +
White
Independence
72.2%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 94,058 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 45.1 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.2% | Livonia + |
| White | 72.2% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.4% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 4.5% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Livonia
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,052 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 40.5% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Livonia
$314,705
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $314,705 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Livonia
471
Livonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 471 | Livonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Livonia
16.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Livonia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 25.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Livonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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